as unvaccinated people. You should get tested three to five days after you come in close contact with someone who is infected. The data on whether you can transmit the virus while vaccinated and have no symptoms is still evolving.
As of now vaccinated individuals still have a much lower risk of infection and transmission and an even lower risk of serious infection, hospitalization, and death. At the end of the day, the vaccine affords significant protection from illness and significantly reduces transmission compared to being unvaccinated.
Is there anything that fully vaccinated people can do to protect children, the immunocompromised, and others who may not yet have been able to get the vaccine? It’s going to depend on context. Getting vaccinated is the number one thing you can do to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community. Masking, distancing, and appropriately testing is an important second piece of that. At this time, I would recommend cutting back on exposure—minimizing large gatherings and decreasing unnecessary outings and travel. I think for a lot of people this is painful to hear after almost 18 months of this pandemic in the U.S.